SAIGC refused to remove the words and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Switzerland has now denied SALT’s complaint.

Ewan McKay, director of SAIGC, said: “What right does the links trust have to claim ownership of the words ‘St Andrews’? The trademark dispute continues, but it is most pleasing that the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has found in favour of the company, so clearly that must put into question the rights claimed by the links trust.”

A legal dispute has also broken out between the trust and the St Andrews Golf Company, which is based just outside the town and has been in business in the area for more than 130 years.

When the company, which encompasses a number of historic clubmakers in the town – recently tried to register its trademarks with WIPO, it discovered that SALT had also raised objections.